La Gerle and Rabou Waterfalls

Get to La Roche-des-Arnauds via the D994. Park in the car park at the cemetery or the town hall.

(S/E) Walk up the embankment alongside the Épervier stream (or take the Chemin des Aires and negotiate the right-hand bend), then follow the Chemin du Colombier to the stone bridge and a signpost (533).

(1) Take the path that climbs up the right bank of the stream, towards Serre La Gerle. The yellow PR® route is the Circuit de la Gerle. Be careful: depending on the season, the signpost may be obscured by vegetation.
After 200 m, the path leaves the riverbank and the slope becomes steeper. The path runs alongside a field, then joins a track which you follow uphill to the left until you reach the hairpin bend.

(2) Leave the track and take the small path opposite (yellow markings on the tree). Be careful: there are a few steep and overhanging sections.
The route offers several views of La Gerle waterfall and its pools.
The path then runs along the edge of a field until it reaches a track.

(3) Take the track on the right, before passing the Béal de Pré le Bayle. Stay alert as the markings on this section of the “Tour de La Gerle” trail are sparse. You’ll reach a junction.

(4) Head up to the left, heading north-east, towards “Le Peyssier” and “Les Baux”. Continue straight on past Serre la Pigne, still heading north-east, to pass beneath the “L’Épervier” reservoir and reach the hamlet of Les Baux (with itsdistinctive rooftops).

(5) Follow the signposted path along the Route des Baux (take care) to the hamlet of Les Bas Baux and take the path on the right.

(6) Take the path leading down to the right, heading south-east, towards La Distillerie, and leave the main track, which you will cross again 200 metres further on. Walk down to the next junction.

(7) Continue along the path straight ahead, heading north-east towards Rabou, ignoring the path leading down to the right towards La Distillerie (Correo). Be careful: the path has collapsed in places, but a few cairns help you find your way. Reach the Petit Buëch and cross it via the footbridge (its condition may vary). Reach a junction.

(8) Turn left to follow the Petit Buëch northwards, leaving the marked path. Be careful: the path runs along the stream bed and may become impassable when the water level is high (the path is submerged with a strong current , even at the edges). You’ll catch sight of the village church of Rabou perched on its rocky outcrop.

(9) Turn left to cross the La Rivière stream, heading north, then cross it again before taking a short round trip to the Rabou waterfall.

(10) Continue left, heading south-east, to climb up a large scree slope and then descend through the trees. Reach a junction.

(11) Turn left, heading south, then climb a fairly steep path before joining a more pleasant track through the forest.

(12) Turn left, heading north-west, to descend towards La Rivière and its small waterfalls.

(13) Retrace your steps to head back up to the pleasant path.

(12) Carry on straight ahead uphill until, at a bend, you join the small road (D503) leading to Rabou.

(14) Carefully walk up the D503 on the right for about 500 metres.

(15) Take a path on the left (unmarked) for a few metres, then turn immediately right. The path runs alongside and then joins the road.

(16) Carefully walk up the D503 road on the right for about 200 m.

(17) Take a narrow track that descends to the left into a small valley. Pass an abandoned wreck of a car by the side of the track.

(18) Take the signposted path opposite, heading west towards Roche-des-Arnauds. Walk through the forest before reaching the banks of the Petit Buëch and crossing it via a footbridge.

(19) Turn left, heading south-west, to follow the PR® signposted path towards La Roche.

(20) Take the path on the left and leave the track to follow an old canal.

(21) Head down to the left and leave the PR®-marked trail to take a small path running alongside a field. Reach the Petit Buëch and then pass below the village. Wade across the Épervier torrent (which can be tricky after heavy rain) and reach a junction.

(22) Turn right, heading north-east, and take the Chemin de La Digue, which overlooks the Épervier, to reach the Montée du Pont; turn left here to return to the car park (S/E).

There are drinking fountains at La Roche-des-Arnauds (S/E), above Lac Peyssier (5) and in the hamlet of Les Bas Baux (6), right next to the signpost. However, there are no designated water points on the wild section of the route between Les Baux and Rabou. Ensure you carry sufficient water during the summer months.

Picnic tables and shaded areas are available near Lac du Peyssier between points (4) and (5).

Shops, restaurants and accommodation are available in La Roche-des-Arnauds as well as in Gap, situated a few kilometres away.

Part of the ascent is exposed to the sun. In summer, it is best to avoid the hottest part of the day. However, the areas around the waterfalls and the many shaded spots along the Petit Buëch offer refreshing respite.

Be careful! After heavy rain or during the snowmelt, some sections can become very muddy (the paths and sections along the edges of fields become particularly wet and muddy). The section running alongside the Petit Buëch between points (8) and (9) may be impassable due to rising water levels and strong currents.

La Roche-des-Arnauds:

• The hamlet of Les Baux consists of a few houses with distinctive roofs.
• Lac du Peyssier is also a pleasant spot for a walk and a rest near the start of the route. Created on a former quarry site, it is now part of a natural area popular for fishing, walking and birdwatching.
• The ruined tower: originally built in the 11th century by the lords of Flotte, the simple wooden keep was transformed into a sturdy fortress by the 13th century. As it was the tradition of this lordship to give the first-born son the name Arnaud, this fortress on its rocky outcrop came to be known as La Roche des Arnauds. The name then spread to the village that grew up at its foot. The panoramic view from this tower overlooking the village is well worth seeing.
• The Church of Saint-Pierre also dates from the Middle Ages.
• Galileo’s Spinning Fountain: worth seeing next to the cemetery car park, this beautiful fountain consists of a marble sphere that spins round and round. Despite its weight, the simple hydraulic mechanism means even a child can set it spinning!

Rabou:

‘Rabòu’, in Vivaro-Alpine Occitan, seems to refer to a steep place, a gorge or a ravine, which fits well with the topography of the area dominated by the Petit Buëch gorges. It is thought to derive from the Occitan word *rabia*, meaning ‘enraged, furious’, a term often applied to impetuous torrents rushing down steep slopes; itself derived from the Latin *rabies*, meaning ‘fury, violence, rage’.

Perched on its rocky outcrop,the church of Saint-Sébastien-Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais – a significant building for such a small parish – boasts an imposing stone bell tower. It dates from the 19th century.

The Petit Buëch Gorges are one of the most remarkable natural areas in the Gapençais region. They are home to a diverse range of vegetation combining Alpine and southern influences. The valley’s numerous waterfalls and springs bear witness to the extent of water flow through the limestone formations of the Charance massif and the Céüse mountains.

From several points along the route, there are splendid views of the Céüse mountain, famous for its climbing crag, which is recognised as one of the most renowned in Europe.